NEWS — Tuesday’s city council meeting roundup

By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times

Six of the seven members of the city council were present at the start of the meeting.

Councilman J.P. Sanchez joined the meeting at 7:31 p.m.

Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Council holds second public hearing on changes to short-term rental ordinance
• City council conducted its second public hearing on proposed amendments to the city’s
short-term rental and zoning regulations and zoning ordinance. No citizens spoke either
for or against the proposed amendments, and the public hearing was opened and closed
within a minute. Following the hearing, City Planning and Zoning Director Janice
Pokrant gave a brief presentation on the proposed amendments, noting the council is
expected to take final action on those proposed amendments during its Oct. 28 meeting.
•

Mayor presents certificate of recognition to Ethan Mtanous
• Mayor Al Arreola read and presented a certificate of recognition to Ethan Mtanous with
Sonny G. Academy in Austin, Texas, for “outstanding

achievements” as best goalkeeper
at the 2025 U.S. Youth Soccer Nationals, where Mtanous helped his team win a national
championship. Mtanous was also recognized for his honorable mention at the 2024 U.S.
Youth Soccer Nationals and his 2025 Golden Glove Award.

•
Mayor announces 2026 Port-To-Plains conference in Del Rio
• Mayor Al Arreola told council members he recently attended the annual 2025 Ports-To-
Plains Alliance Conference in Lubbock, Texas, on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2. He announced the
alliance’s 2026 conference will be held in Del Rio.
•
City manager thanks staff for successful Monarch butterfly festival
• City Manager Shawna Burkhart thanked city staff members, including Esme Meza,
Peter Ojeda and Michael Garcia, for a successful 2 nd Annual Monarch Butterfly Festival,
which was held Oct. 10 in and around the city’s historic Brown Plaza. Burkhart said the
festival included many fun and educational activities for children and families, adding
participation in the festival more than doubled from the first festival, held in October
2024.
•
Council hears presentation on theater renovation
• City council members listened to a presentation on the Paul Poag Theatre rehabilitation
project by Ricardo Solis and Victor Montes of Able City, the company hired by the city
to design the renovation of the historic downtown theater. Solis and Montes said they are
nearing the finalization of the renovation design and reviewed improvements that will be
made to the building. Among the most major improvements to be made to the theater are
full accessibility for disabled and handicapped patrons and performers, including a lift
that will allow someone in a wheelchair to access the theater stage. Bathrooms in the front of the theater and backstage dressing rooms will also be rebuilt to include
handicapped accessibility.
•
Council approves advertising for bids for theater renovation project
• City council members voted 7-0 to authorize City Manager Shawna Burkhart to
advertise for bids for Phase III of the Paul Poag Theatre Rehabilitation Project. City
Purchasing Agent Luis Menchaca told the council the bid period will likely last about
four weeks. He said he anticipates the bids will be opened by the end of November, with
the bid award to be made in December or January 2026, and the project “completely
done” in May 2026.
•
Council delays action of reallocation of 2023A CO proceeds
• City council members took no action on a proposal by City Manager Shawna Burkhart
to reallocate $6.2 million from the 2023A series of certificates of obligation obtained by
the city. Burkhart told the council the original purpose of the $9 million in the 2023A
COs was to pay for the construction of a new City Hall. Burkhart told the council she is
recommending that $6.2 million of that $9 million be used as follows: $4.5 million for
renovations at the existing City Hall, $1.5 million for the demolition and reconstruction
of Buena Vista Pool and $200,000 to be put toward the reconstruction of bathrooms in
the Joe Ramos Center. Burkhart said the council did not need to decide how to reallocate
the remaining $2.8 million at this time. The council took no action following discussion
of Burkhart’s recommendations and will discuss them again at a future meeting.
•
Council approves amendment to personnel policies for work safety boots
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution amending the city’s personnel
policy handbook on a policy covering work safety boots and shoes. Human Resources
Director Mario Garcia told the council the new policy aligns with OSHA regulations
“mandating protective footwear for employees in hazardous work areas.” Garcia said the
city pays for the work safety boots or shoes. City Purchasing Agent Luis Menchaca told
the council the city has selected The Fishing Cowboy western wear store as its designated
vendor for approved safety boots and shoes.
•
Council approves amending sidewalk application grant
• City council members voted 7-0 to amend a previously-approved resolution authorizing
City Manager Shawna Burkhart to submit a Transportation Alternative Program
Application to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to obtain funding for
the construction of sidewalks on Bedell Avenue, Braddie Drive and Dodson Avenue.
Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez noted if the city is awarded the grant, it will be for 100
percent of the cost of constructing the sidewalks, with no match required by the city.
•
Council approves $10,000 in HOT funds for Charro Extremo event
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve an ordinance authorizing the expenditure of
up to $10,000 in hotel occupancy tax (HOT) funds for the ARA Promotions LLC Fiesta
De Amistad Charro Extremo event to be held in conjunction with annual Fiesta De
Amistad activities on Oct. 17 and Oct. 18. Event organizer Reynaldo Robles Jr. told the
council this year’s event will feature goat-roping and a cabrito cook-off.

•
Council authorizes the sale of land to Val Verde County
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve an ordinance authorizing the sale of city-
owned property to Val Verde County and authorizing City Manager Shawna Burkhart to
sign all necessary documents for the sale. The tract is located just north of the Del Rio
city limits between U.S. Highways 90 and 277. County officials have said they plan to
use the land as the site of a new county fire station to serve residential developments
north and east of Del Rio.
•
Council postpones agreement with county for family violence protection program
• City council members voted 7-0 to postpone action on a resolution authorizing City
Manager Shawna Burkhart to execute an interlocal cooperation agreement between the
city and Val Verde County for mutual family violence protection program funding of
$7,500 a month. Council members voted to delay action on the resolution so a clause in
the agreement could be worked out.
•
Council authorizes acceptance of money, in-kind donations for mayor’s reception
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve an ordinance authorizing “the acceptance,
administration and use of monetary and in-kind donations” for the mayor’s reception, an
event held annually in conjunction with the International Good Neighbor Council’s Fiesta
De Amistad activities. Community Services Director Esme Meza told the council the city
has received a total of $7,000 cash and $2,270 worth of in-kind donations for the event.

Any money left over will be used toward recognition of city employees.

The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com